Alabama

Alabama offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio (71) works through drills during the Crimson Tide's football practice, Thursday, December 27, 2012, at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This was the first full practice after the Christmas break. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The two remaining members from Alabama's 2012 offensive line are among the 75 players from across the country to make the initial watch list for the Outland Trophy.

Junior left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and right guard Anthony Steen each landed a spot on the watch list, which includes 16 SEC players. The Outland Trophy goes annually to the nation's top interior lineman.

Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel, who was the second pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, won last year's award. Former Alabama tackles Chris Samuels (1999), Andre Smith (2008) and Barrett Jones are previous winners of the award.

Kouandjio was the youngest member of last year's Alabama offensive line, but he certainly held up his end of the bargain. He started all 14 games and seemingly improved as the season progressed. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Kouandjio as the fifth-best prospect who is eligible to be drafted in 2014.

Steen, who is one of three players representing Alabama at next week's SEC Media Days, started all 14 games in 2012 and has 25 for his career at right guard. He was the only Alabama offensive lineman to not surrender a sack last season.

The watch list will be narrowed down to six or seven semifinalists Nov. 20. Three finalists will be named heading into The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.